Personal Statement
Tristan Hines, Mexico, English Teaching Assistant I have felt like growing up in a small town hindered my capacity to explore different communities with unique perspectives. My experiences were limited to my town and the same people for most of my life. By the time I entered college, I was starved for opportunities to expand my horizons. My studies in Spanish and International Studies turned my desire to learn about the world into a passion for International Relations. After studying the complexities of cross-cultural exchanges, especially between Latin America and the United States, I felt compelled to engage with the global community through various volunteer opportunities. Now that I am graduating and entering a new stage …show more content…
While in Spain, I participated in the Tandem program and taught English as a second language. The Tandem program paired volunteers with different native languages to have regular conversations with each other. Outside of the Tandem program, I tutored elementary children to teach them English. Both experiences allowed me to improve my Spanish while engaging with different people in the Spanish community. Back at home I stay involved by volunteering with Justice for our Neighbors Immigration Clinic and the Kids on Course Program. In the Kids on Course after school program, I teach local Hispanic children Spanish to account for the lack of Spanish programs in elementary schools. While at the Immigration Clinic, I help fill out intake forms and translate for Spanish speakers. My practical experiences are among my most coveted because they have taught me the importance of communicating between different languages.
My background in International Relations and Spanish coupled with my time abroad have prepared me to fulfill the Fulbright’s mission. I have had many different forms of teaching experience and I feel more than capable of fulfilling my role as an English Teaching Assistant. I respect and encourage the celebration of cultural differences and have seen how these differences affect the classroom. Being bilingual has opened many doors for me and I would like to share that opportunity with others. The Fulbright is the continuation of my path in pursuit of my
Tristan Hines, Mexico, English Teaching Assistant I have felt like growing up in a small town hindered my capacity to explore different communities with unique perspectives. My experiences were limited to my town and the same people for most of my life. By the time I entered college, I was starved for opportunities to expand my horizons. My studies in Spanish and International Studies turned my desire to learn about the world into a passion for International Relations. After studying the complexities of cross-cultural exchanges, especially between Latin America and the United States, I felt compelled to engage with the global community through various volunteer opportunities. Now that I am graduating and entering a new stage …show more content…
While in Spain, I participated in the Tandem program and taught English as a second language. The Tandem program paired volunteers with different native languages to have regular conversations with each other. Outside of the Tandem program, I tutored elementary children to teach them English. Both experiences allowed me to improve my Spanish while engaging with different people in the Spanish community. Back at home I stay involved by volunteering with Justice for our Neighbors Immigration Clinic and the Kids on Course Program. In the Kids on Course after school program, I teach local Hispanic children Spanish to account for the lack of Spanish programs in elementary schools. While at the Immigration Clinic, I help fill out intake forms and translate for Spanish speakers. My practical experiences are among my most coveted because they have taught me the importance of communicating between different languages.
My background in International Relations and Spanish coupled with my time abroad have prepared me to fulfill the Fulbright’s mission. I have had many different forms of teaching experience and I feel more than capable of fulfilling my role as an English Teaching Assistant. I respect and encourage the celebration of cultural differences and have seen how these differences affect the classroom. Being bilingual has opened many doors for me and I would like to share that opportunity with others. The Fulbright is the continuation of my path in pursuit of my